Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16 "For the word of God is living and
active. Sharper than any, double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges
the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden
from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of
him to whom we must give account. Since we have a great high priest who
has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to
the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in
every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the
throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help us in our time of need." (World English Bible - http://www.ebible.org/bible/web)

Notes: The Full Monty is based in Sheffield, where the local Steelworks
has closed plunging the city into depression. In this town, an unlikely
bunch of losers and no-hopers come together. Each one has a flaw, a hidden
weakness. The fat guy who feels undersexed and unattractive. The nerdy guy
with no friends and no life because he has to look after his mum. He comes
into the story attempting to commit suicide. The black guy with the James
Brown moves, but the un-stereotypically small penis. The sex symbol with
the very large penis who is very attractive to women - but turns out
to be gay. The unemployed foreman who was unable to tell his wife that he
lost his job and has been leaving for work each morning while his wife
runs up bills on the credit card.

These are the 'disciples' called together to form a strip show in order
to make some money and make a success of themselves. Along the way, each
has to face his own flawed weakness and through various circumstances is
forced into confessing their particular inadequacy to the group - very
unlike normal men. But in confession, rather than facing ridicule they
find acceptance and healing from the other members of their little
community of apprentice strippers.

And the figure who starts it all, because he is a failure who never
finishes anything with a string of broken promises behind him who wants to
be a success at something for his son and ex-wife. He never falters in his
enthusiasm until the very last moment, when he finds he can't go on
because unexpectedly there are men as well as women in the audience? In
a way, this character is just another member of the band of 'disciples' in
need of grace and love. (But there is a parallel here with the Christ
figure in Gethsemane, who struggles to accept the burden of the last few
steps before the cross. Perhaps we can use this to identify with our
leaders, who encourage and encourage - but who are only human and also
need encouragement themselves.)

This healing experience allows them to face their wider community -
naked. Just as we must one day present ourselves to God without any
protective covering.

Suggest: Rent the movie and play the last bit - from where the lead
character finds out there are men in the audience and suddenly can't go
on. You can make the judgement on whether to pause the movie just before
the last scene?( I did this at Café Church in Sydney a couple of years
ago but was howled down?)

Then: Spend some time reflecting on the secret weaknesses that we try
to pretend are not there. God loves us despite our flaws. A song: can be
read as a poem -

Redeemer

I know that my redeemer lives
An angel dances on my tongue
I'm feeling naked beneath my clothes and skin
Dressed only in the things I've said and done
And one day I will stand naked before you
One day I will stand naked

I know that my redeemer lives
I don't come cheap but you paid the price
I gave my body to many others here before you
You know I'm no angel dressed in white
I'm no angel
But one day I will stand naked before you
One day I will stand naked

We show the world a suit of clothes, a suit of armour
Armour with accessories
A naked cripple hides inside, afraid to come out in the light
A suit of clothes is just a lie
A conspiracy we agree to believe
But you undress us
And one day we will stand naked before you
One day we will stand naked

(The above words are copyright Glen Powell - use freely in Christian
worship.)